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Alejandro Escovedo brings music to F.M. Kirby Center

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Musician Alejandro Escovedo can hear how the music of his biggest influence, Lou Reed, in his own compositions.

"He's a huge inspiration. Enormous. Probably the biggest overall, not just lyrically, but music and guitar playing," said Escovedo. "Very, very big influence on me. I can hear a lot of what I do - I'm not saying I'm like Lou Reed, but I definitely hear his influence in my stuff."

Escovedo will perform at 8 p.m. Tuesday as part of the "Live from the Chandelier Lobby" concert series at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Wilkes-Barre.

Escovedo first came up in 1970s punk-rock scene in San Francisco, a foundation he's layered with roots rock and alternative country.

Escovedo's last full-length album, "Big Station," came out in 2012. More recently, he appeared in and contributed a cover of a Dandy Warhols' song, "We Used to Be Friends," to the 2014 "Veronica Mars" movie soundtrack.

The versatile performer is coming to Wilkes-Barre after a power run last month at the South By Southwest musical festival in Austin, Texas. He played five shows there, including the annual close-out bash and, with Richard Barone, a tribute to Reed, guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for the Velvet Underground who also had an extensive solo career. Reed died in 2013 at age 71.

"It got pretty big this year," said Escovedo, a frequent performer at the festival. "I'm used to it. I've been doing it quite a while. I've only missed three South By Southwests. I've been here since the beginning."

Escovedo also finished up about eight shows with Peter Buck of R.E.M. and several of his fellow members in The Minus 5, including band founder Scott McCaughey.

So well, in fact, they're going on a West Coast tour in the fall, and then hitting the recording studio to make an album together. Escovedo said he enjoys collaborating with other musicians - it often fuels creativity."

"That's the thing about Peter's band - they're all so good, you can throw anything at them, and they'll respond, in a very creative and musical way," he said.

For the most part, Escovedo said he and his band rehearse and stick to a set list when they're on tour, though they might mix it up if it feels right.

"That happens, where you kind of read the audience and decide that maybe instead of the ballad, it's time to pop into something a little livelier," he said.

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